Vegas: Should the CBS Show Be Cancelled?

Published: March 5, 2013

Going into the fall season, CBS’ Vegas series was one of the new TV shows with the most buzz. Many people were expecting it to be one of the hits of the season. Has it measured up? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a second season?

Airing on Tuesday nights, Vegas takes place in the Las Vegas of the 1960s and revolves around Sheriff Ralph Lamb (Dennis Quaid), a former rancher, and his clashes with Vincent Savino (Michael Chiklis), a Chicago mobster who moved west to set up his operation. Others in the cast include Carrie-Anne Moss, Taylor Handley, Sarah Jones, and Jason O’Mara.

The show debuted back on September 25th to a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 14.85 million total viewers. While the viewership was strong, CBS was likely expecting a much better demo number — especially considering the show’s high-profile talent, positive reviews, and the show having a strong lead-in like NCIS: Los Angeles.

In week two, the ratings dropped 20%, to a 2.0 rating with 12.11 million. In week four, they dropped another 20%, to a 1.6 rating with 10.8 million.

The numbers have remained fairly steady since then and the 15 episodes that have aired thus far have averaged a 1.7 demo rating with 10.9 million viewers.

While that demo might be enough for a show on NBC, it’s not likely good enough for CBS. Right now, Vegas is one of the network’s lowest-rated weekday series in the demographic which advertisers favor. Vegas has a lot of total viewers but so do many other CBS shows.

Last season, Unforgettable occupied the same timeslot and performed better than Vegas — averaging a 2.3 demo rating and 11.3 million viewers. It was cancelled.

The network ended up making a deal with Sony TV to bring Unforgettableback for a short season this summer and both sides likely made some financial concessions to make that happen. Word is that most of the supporting castmembers have been dropped. A deal like that is not likely to happen with Vegas.

Unless the ratings start to climb, it doesn’t look very likely that Vegas will be back for a second season.

On the positive side, the series will be back on March 19th and there are seven new episodes yet to come.

What do you think? Do you think CBS should cancel Vegas to make way for a new show? Or, should they renew Quaid and company for a second season? If you were running the network, would you change anything try to attract higher ratings?

Finally, something worth watching! Great actors – – -great pl0t – – – probably a lot of it true. Maybe the network should go to the casinos in vegas and have them advertise on it and promote it. It will increase people wanting to visit Vegas. This is a no-brainer.

Please don’t cancel Vegas! The lead actors are exceptional, it is never overplayed or predictable, story lines are tight and the action is intense – everything a good show should be. Dennis Quaid is brilliant with his reluctant, yet willing to go the distance, local hero role. And Michael Chiklis, wow, he brings menace and intelligence and gentility to a role that could easily have become a caricature. I rarely watch TV – it’s mostly mind-numbing crap. But my shows are Downton Abbey, Blue Bloods – and Vegas. High quality, well cast, high production values. Please give it another season – at least!

One of only three weekly shows I make time to watch. Do not drop something worth watching. Drop some of the supposed “reality” shows that are not at all worth watching by anyone who has valuable time – and money – to spend. Get the hint?

This is a great show. The storylines are a lot more interesting and have more meat on them than those reality shows that keep popping up. Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis are outstanding. Please keep this show on the air.

I really like Vegas, the story line in interesting and the action level is high. The one part that doesn’t seen to work for me is “romance” angle for Dennis Quaid and Carrie Ann Moss. There is are zero sparks flying ! He needs someone with more fire..like is brother Ralph has!

Vegas is a fun show to watch, and frankly, the only CBS program I watch. If CBS cancels the show I will have no reason to tune to the CBS channel. They need to give the show a chance, and stop preempting the show. I have read it is now moved to friday evenings after basketball! Ridiculous! ‘Vegas’ is a first rate show, great acting, good plot lines, a wonderful mix of ‘who-done-it’ mystery with a little humor thrown in. I find the show is a great escape for an hour of positive entertainment! I look forwards to it’s return, whatever day and time CBS chooses to air the show.

I do enjoy the show very much.
I think that CBS should not expect every show to pull in the Max. viewers, and if not canx the the show.
Let the show play steady and true, the people, even if not so Max. will enjoy and stay true to CBS and it’s advertisers.